Garden in July

Fourth of July has come and gone, once again, and I find we are in the hottest days of summer.  Day lilies are finally blooming and at the same time, wilting from the heat.  The Shasta daisy blooms at the same time as the lilies and it requires little to no care.  I have a patch way out back in a bed that is at it's best now.  Most of the year it's rather unsightly, just green foliage.  Now, the purple garden phlox is blooming, along with the daisy's.  In the back of the little round bed, is a spreading mound of Obedience plant, that blooms pink. 

Also, now is the second growth of the Knockout roses, but, unfortunately, the Japanese beetles have "hit" with a vengeance.  I hate them!!!!  I have tried Sevin, spray, both types.  One I mix with water, one straight from the bottle.  However, it only kills on contact of the bug, doesn't prevent them from munching.  So, I find "picking" them off and dumping them in water works OK.  Anyone have some home remedy that works, I am listening.  I did Pintrest it, but didn't come up with anything especially new. 

I have planted a few new Balloon flowers (purple) and a new white Coneflower.  I also stopped at a day lily farm in Garrett Co. and bought four lilies from the nice lady there, Mrs. Graham.  She gave me one more for being a first time customer.  She knew my sister, who lives nearby and has bought from her before, and she taught each of my nieces in school at Camp Dick. 

So, I'll try to download some pics from around the yard.  Keep in mind, middle of the summer, heat.

Pink Taffy 

  



I will add the name when I am home:)  Eating lunch and blogging!

*I have to add, this one was a little too close to a yard full of this same color...oops.

 Now, I'm inside at night and don't remember which number this one is:) 
I believe, it's name is Tom Wise

 

I love catching a butterfly on the Lantana.  Sweet.

 

Each summer I take the same photos of the same kind of butterflies, on the same bushes.  However, they are new to me each time I see them.  I love hummingbirds, but I truly love butterflies as well.  And, they come around much more often.

 

Ha, a different angle!

 

 

Bees sure love the coneflowers, and I love honey. So, a win win.

 

This year the pond lilies have had bigger "pads" and larger blooms.  Wish they covered more of the pond, as it's not too clear with all this heat:(

 

Well, this is one reason I love summer.  Coming out to lunch and using my time to write on my blog.  If any one of my BFF's would have come in the door, she would have LOL.  I have my laptop up and in use (blog on it is best), I have the ipad open, can't waste time while photos are downloading:) and I had to open up the iphone to download the photos from it to the laptop!  So, I am covered in technology.  Wish I knew half as much as the hardware may indicate.  Unfortunately, this is about as much as I know.  Oh well, at least I have a post to my blog from my summertime garden!

Summertime 2013

Yeah for the summer!  School is out, swimming pools are open, gardens are in full bloom, kids are playing baseball (well, that's been going on since early spring), and for me RETIREMENT!!!  This blog will be a sort of "walk down memory lane", and journal of my EOY party.  I will throw in "odds and ends" of our life since my last post, which was on President's Day when we were out of school/work.

I am sitting in the lobby of Toyota on Nicholasville getting an oil change.  They treat you well, with complementary popcorn, nice seating area, wi-fi for my laptop:), and a nice large screen TV.  So, I'm all set...although I would rather be mowing.  I got up, mowed the front, got cleaned up:) and will finish in awhile.

My job, well that's a loaded subject.  My kids attended Clays Mill so that is where I wanted to be.  First, as a homeroom mother, where other mom's like Laura Siever, opened their arms wide and we fit right in.  Then, after a few years, the Computer Lab was opening and my principal, Barbara Albaugh, offered me a job.  That changed the course of my life and it was a road I am glad to have traveled.  I learned about computers, and started working there in 1986.  In 1990, Fayette County took over the contract and I started working for FCPS.  I stayed with CME until this June 1st!  I am ready for retirement, and don't really have any plans.  I don't want them at this time.  I have had a few people ask me to join this or work there, but nothing has "panned" out, and that's OK (for now:)

My co-workers have made retiring so fun.  When walking in the door daily, Carol S. would say "10 more days"...."1 more Monday", etc.  Fun.  Others (Valerie M.) would walk by the window in the lab and hold up her fingers to count down.  Others have given me numerous hugs, high fives, and notes.  I even got some pretty great gifts (which I did not expect!!!)  The one from our EOY party, is a Adirondack chair for my yard!  It is brown and comfy, sitting right in front of my fire pit!  It's low to the ground which makes it perfect for roasting smores!  We had a perfect weather day, third year to have it in our backyard, and we had a good turn out (whew!!)  They brought in City Barbecue, and everyone brought a dish.  Lots of food!  Lots of desserts, salads and sides.  Yummy....CME are good cooks!

The social committee and my friends got together and wrote words to a song and sang it for our entertainment.  Even my brother loved it (I showed him a little clip) and thought the girls did a very good job!  For Joyce T. that also retired, her resource team gave a very cute skit that was equally entertaining.  Loved the evening!  Enjoyed every minute.

I will miss the students.  I got lots of cards & notes they wrote for me.  During the years, I have been touched many, many times.  It's been said and it's true, I received much more than I gave.  I do feel good in the technology they have been exposed to and feel very comfortable doing.  They learned Word, saving to a file, printing, and many skills using it.  They know Power Point inside and out (3rd, 4th & 5th).  They all have used Publisher for making signs, brochures and more.  They know the internet and how to research just about anything (watch out parents!)  This will keep going and go even further!  They are in VERY good hands.

Well, I will stop now....love my job, love the years there, and will love the years to come!!

They know me so well!  Can't have too many flowers.  Betty, Vicki, me and my longest girlfriend at CME, Joyce.  Love them!!!!  So happy they came to "see me off".  

Loved having the "next generation" of guests at our party!  This is baby Mia and mom, Maria.

This is baby Josie, Meg's baby (our Art teacher).  Holding her is Cathy P. who, by the way, was awesome with all the babies!  She was a great "holder" to give mom's a break to eat.  Actually, she just wanted to love on those babes.  Just like she does her babies at CME.  She always gives the hugs and shows the love!

This is baby Bella, her mom is April.  She and I worked in rooms that were close and we became fast friends.  Although I am the age of her mom, she didn't make me feel like her mother.  She has a wonderful one already, so I was her friend.  Each baby was so good and beautiful!

My good friends met after school and Cindy V. changed the words (with help from others) to a song. It fit me perfectly and it meant the world to me!  What a precious, thoughtful group of ladies.  LOVE.

When Beth C. became Librarian (media) she was my next door co-worker.  She is a Class A person.  Just in every way...the clothes, work ethic, children, home, job....friend.  You will never find a better one.

This is the chair my faculty gave to me.  It was over our budget, but they like to give a gift to Clyde and I for hosting (which I forget they do, and it is NOT necessary)....so this was "tied in to one" big gift!  Thanks!!!  Loved it so  much, we ordered one for Clyde for Father's Day!

It has been too long since my last post.  With Facebook, I just feel I am pretty much transparent with my life!  However, I like to journal so that my family & friends will have an account of my life, in case they ever want to take a look back.

Today is President's Day and we are out of school.  I started the day casually with TV, hot tea and chocolate banana bread....which I will make again.  A little laundry, a little dusting, and too little purging out a desk drawer that was on my agenda, the outdoors called my name.  Although too chilly to do yard work, I left home for some lunch.  I didn't have a lunch date, so I tried to choose one I could use my ipad!  However, Panera is really packed!  Hot soup and a baguette was good, but this will be short.  I went to see mom on Friday after school and before a busy evening.  While there, she said "come on Monday if you can, as I will be busy on Tuesday".....hmmmm, I know she wants me to come by to play a game of Rummy with she and Kent.  So, I called and she said "yes, come".....that's where I'm heading.

I don't say a lot while there, as mom really loves the game...the competition!  She really likes to win, ha!  So does Kent, so we have a pretty "earnest" game of cards, very little talking, but enough.  The times there have given me some funny laughs, not at them but with them.  Also, some fond memories of moms as she takes a LOT of walks down memory lane.  She loves recalling times from 50 years ago!  Recently I recorded her thoughts on her and dad's first date.  I will set aside another post for just it, hopefully!  She recalled it was the day World War II was over and the horns honking in the streets.

Well, I best be on my way but I will continue at another time.  I will share tomorrow is Tricia's 60th birthday.  We started with a dinner on the 13th with our friends the Waggoners, Giles & us.  David & girls had a surprise party planned which was last night (17th) at the Pub.  However, Fred & Michelle were not able to be here so we just "pretended" to celebrate that night and both brought her little gifts.  

Then we had the party last night and enjoyed the times together with her Paris friends, family, and those of us from church.  The atmosphere was fun, the room was set aside just nicely, David had appetizers & dessert for us as well as he did the decorations.  The girls helped "host" this event and were there to get it organized until David & Tricia came.  We enjoyed it!

I will post photos when I can.  Today I pick up the kids at Bounce U at 3:00, so if I'm going to moms....better scoot.  Love, Later, Bye (stole that from Brew)

Maggie's 5th Birthday & more

Maggie's birthday has come and gone and I am just getting her party blogged.  Having a birthday just days after Christmas, some friends are out of town.  Becky had a fun party planned for those that were able to come and children as well as adults loved it.  She worked very hard to get the party favors and treats ready, again, hard as it comes right after a busy season.  The decorations, magician's capes, table settings, all looked great.  Here are a few pics:

   We have been at the Horse Park for the last two Halloween's and Mark was the entertainment.  Becky liked him and secured him for Mag's party then.  MJ LOL many times at his magic tricks!

Jackie makes the kids cakes and they are the best.  The boys say "granny makes the best cakes ever"!

After the show, Mr. Comley made balloon animals for each guest.  Uncle Jason liked the magic show as well!

The big kids like the tricks as well as the little kids!

Maggie asked if there were eggs in the Easter bunny bags.  Becky explained about the magic hat and bunny. the popcorn was a hit....several kids asked for more!  The adults ate it as well.

I had a better pic of the table before the party, but of course I can't find it.  Each child had a wand and black cape at their place setting.  Their names were on each wand.  Cuteness.

On the back of the counter was a big container of pulled, smoked pork.  They got a smoker for Christmas.  Also, for the kids and anyone who wanted pizza, they picked up Jett's Pizza.  Everyone said it was very good.  We had munchy food to eat until the show was over.

Austin casting a spell (I hope it was a good one!)  MJ & Braden.

Crazy kids!

May be hard to see, but the cake server & knife is one she uses only one time each year.  On her birthday!  the first BD we gave them to her, with her name & date engraved.  Hopefully, if they last and she wants to use them, we will have her new name & wedding date engraved on them.

This is an overview of her day.  She is a joy to us.  We went to pick her up a couple of nights ago just for her to stay the night (week night!)  She came in and said how much she had missed us and thanked us for having her.  She said to pap "you like me the most don't you pap?"  LOL, he told her no, he loved all of them the same....I might have had trouble with that (telling her no) even if it is true (that I love them the same).  She was so easy to get up in the morning, get ready and was so happy to be out the door for Ms. Judy's.  She is a happy girl. 

Christmas 2012

This year Christmas with the Bakers was at our house.  We had very nice weather and everyone came except Erin and Harley.  She had surgery on her foot a couple of days before and Harley stayed home to help her.  He came for our Dirty Santa gift exchange.  Also, Delores (Jerry's mom) was in Cardinal Hill recovering from hip surgery.

Clyde, Martha, mom (Helen), Vernon (in back) and youngest, Harley

Our meal for Christmas is "finger" type food.  I cooked a pork loin and rolls, artichoke dip, and cookies.  Everyone else brought yummy appetizers.  Everything was very tasty!

Our newest addition this year.  A little buggy with a pony pulling it.  

Austin, Maggie, GiGi and Matthew at Baker's family Christmas

While mom & dad were packing up the van, boys and toys, MJ was seen peeping out nan's window! 

After this party was Maggie's day care program.  She did so well.  The last couple of years, she had good motions, but didn't sing out loud.  She always knows all the words, but has stage fright.  This year, she was Mary and sang "I'm Gettin' Nothin' for Christmas" with Braden.  They were super cute!!!

After MJ's program is Becky's 33rd birthday.  We always go to the Kentucky Horse Park, Southern Lights. This year the weather did not co-operate.  So, plan B, we went to Johnny Carinos.  Clyde and I met the kids and Bec. first at Lexington Green for photos with Santa.  Then met the remainder of family for dinner.

After Becky's birthday, was Stinnett Family Christmas, at Becky & Jason's house.  This is everyone except Cameron & Jennifer (that live in La), Ben (working), Michael (working) and Malcolm was asleep.  Angie & Kevin were present for the dinner/gift exchange, but left before the pic.  Also, Daniel (Kent's son)  was not here.  Mom looked around at everyone and said "am I responsible for all this?"

Juliette & Maggie are one year apart, but when they get together, they have a good time!  Juliette is Dana & Randy's daughter and Dana is Martha & Glen's youngest daughter.

Christmas morning finally arrived! 

Good news!  Jason asked Rosemary to marry him, and she said "yes"!  So, this year will begin a new chapter in their lives.  She is a sweetheart and they both deserve happiness.

Santa brought Clyde and I new bicycles.  After Thanksgiving in Florida, we came home and put those on our list for Christmas.  We rode there with Susan & Chris Wiley.  Hoping for some good rides on the Legacy Trail.  Clyde bought us a rack for the car to carry them.  

This year we bought the boys a 32" TV and MJ an American Girl doll, so they only got one more gift for each boy from us.  MJ got a few smaller ones, but Uncle Jason more than made up for it!  He bought them some very nice things that they loved.  

Maggie is in her waitress outfit (she came to the house with it, so not sure who she got it from).

This is the American Girl doll...it is one that "looks like" Maggie.  Brown eyes, blond hair.  She is thinking to name her ZiZi.  We picked her up in Chicago.

I will end with this one of the boys.  Christmas was fun and they were thankful for each thing they received.  They thanked me for the breakfast casserole (they actually loved it).  MJ even thanked me (with a hug each time) for her box of tights!  They were so good, so sweet, and I believe they have had a fantastic Christmas. Next is Maggie's 5th birthday!  They have a magician coming!  Merry Christmas and Happy New Year friends!  We plan to spend New Year's Eve at the Giles. The Keith's have their 11th anniversary on the 29th.

First Christmas Party 2012

Last night was the beginning of our round of family/friends Christmas parties.  For many years, a group of friends have been traveling from appetizer to dessert at three houses.  This year we began at our house, with the Wileys & Scott's helping me with the meal starters.  It was very good to see some that now go to other churches and we don't see week to week.  We always hoped to grow old together and seem to be doing just that! 

 

 

The next stop is Vickie's house.  This is for the main course.  I believe Michelle, Cheryl & Ingrid helped her host.  We had ham, potato casserole, green beans, salad & rolls.  Yummy!

 

Vickie has a way with decorating.  These few pictures do not show her house well.  I don't know why, but I didn't get a picture of her 9 ft. tree in the Florida room.  Beautiful!  She has every room decorated with many details.  Love her home!

 

Our final stop was at the Christian's home.  Many people think you should eat dessert first!  We saved the best for last. The Giles helped with this part of our evening.

 

We all get so busy and have just so much energy (LOL) so getting this together is never easy.  We thank Michelle for making the effort to do this.  Thanks friend! 

"Some friends come and some friends go, But true friends stay for life you know, So in my heart you'll always be, your friendships worth a "Mint" to me!" This poem came from me with a roll of Mentos.  These friends are like family and I appreciate them so!

Jason

As this day of giving thanks is coming quickly to a close, I want to say how thankful I am for Jason.  It is said you always are close to your first born.  I was determined to stay that way with my first and second born children.  I didn't want to favor one over the other, they are both very different.  They both have their own personalities, strengths, likes and dislikes.  The name "Jason" means "a friend to all" and some versions say "healer".  This stands to reason as he is a people person.  One who likes people and to please people.  If I were adding a meaning to the name "Jason", I might add "private" or "quiet"....a gentle "man". 

Saying that definition, this post will be just the things I find to thank God for in Jason.  He doesn't "do" FB or any other social network, and there is a reason for it! 

From the time he was young, he has been good with children.  He pays attention to them, and talks to them.  This picture says it best, the look of adoration on Austin's face.  Both boys run to see him and give him hugs as he lifts them high in the air.  Now, sadly they are getting too big for much lifting!

I love how he not only cares for children, he is the one that shows love to the grown ups in our family.  Starting with Becky, he has always been proud of her accomplishments.  He puts her up on a pedestal for sure, and is one of her biggest fans.  He makes the calls to keep in touch or plan a family dinner (for the most part).  Actually, he may not make the plans, but he starts the ball rolling and Becky picks it up!  He loves granny and mamaw and thought the world of papaw.  He makes sure, if they haven't called, he calls them once in awhile.  Not big on visits (ha), he does make sure he sees them either at a family gathering or a personal visit to their home. 

I am thankful how Jason appreciates Clyde and I.  Anything we do for him, the normal things all parents do to support their kids, he always goes the extra mile to say thanks and how thankful he is for us.  At times, he has put us up on said pedestal and I tell him quickly we are very human. We are far from perfect (SO far) and our relationship is good only by the grace of God.  To Him we give the glory and honor.

I could go on about his relationships with the adults in his life.  Like Aunt Martha, Uncle Harley, his girlfriend Rosemary and others.  He is thoughtful and considerate to each one of us.  Growing up he knew I loved the word "considerate" and that I tried to instill this in our family.  In art class at school, he used that word to make a very creative drawing.   

These are a few of the things I thank God for regarding Jason.  More than anything above, I am thankful he believes in God.  Through the years, when he saw a friend in need, someone lost a loved one or a friend was sick, he would call and ask me to pray.  He believes in prayer and a God above that is here below and listens to our requests.  That loves us unconditionally, the way I love Jason.